Uncharted Territory: The talent and heart of Sara Bareilles

Sara Bareilles would like to have you believe that, deep beneath her skin, there is not a heart but a kaleidoscope. However, those of us lucky enough to call ourselves Sara B. fans know quite the contrary. Throughout her career - and especially through her actions over the past week - Sara has demonstrated an expanse of heart and wisdom equalled by few.

Last Saturday (only four days after I saw Sara and her band put on one of the most intricately beautiful sets at the House of Blues in Cleveland), a nightmare occurred at the Indiana State Fair when the concert stage collapsed in between Sara's opening set and country duo Sugarland's headlining set. While neither band was on stage at the time, five people (three fans, a security guard, and a stagehand) were tragically killed and dozens more were seriously injured. On twitter and her official website, Sara expressed the following:

Fortunately we are all safe, but a tragic stage accident has injured some folks in indiana. Our prayers are with them and their families. :(

I'm still thinking of all those affected from last night's stage collapse. My heart is here in Indiana. :( #prayforIndy

Sending love from a heavy heart tonight. A memorial service will be held tomorrow morning @ 9am on the Free Stage Indiana State Fair. xoxo

Thank you all so much for the kind words and prayers. Fundraising efforts will be announced very soon to benefit the victims' families. xoxo

Everyone is okay after the stage collapsed at the Indiana State Fair tonight. Many of our fans and friends in Indianapolis may not be. Please keep them in your thoughts, prayers, or whatever form of strength you are able to send. Thank you.

The accident at the Indiana State fair felt like a bad dream. The weather changed in a matter of minutes and the stage collapsed in a matter of seconds. We are shocked and saddened by this horribly tragic circumstance and we are all praying for those affected. The emergency response was incredibly speedy and the people of Indiana as well as the crews from the show were beyond brave and working hard to help each other. My heart aches for the lives lost or injured as well as their families. We will do whatever we possibly can to help heal the hurt from this very sad day.

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It's clear how deeply this incident has affected Sara and her band, and I have no doubt she will do everything she can to help the victims and families forever changed by the stage collapse.